DSU receives grant for Concurrent Enrollment math courses

Dixie State University received the Utah System of Higher Education’s Math Teacher Preparation Grant, which will help increase the number of high school teachers eligible to teach Concurrent Enrollment math classes. Photo courtesy of Dixie State University

Dixie State University received a Math Teacher Preparation Grant from the Utah System of Higher Education. The grant will increase the number of high school teachers eligible to teach math classes through the Concurrent Enrollment program, which allows students to earn both high school and college credit for general education courses. With more instructors available, the university plans to offer more sections of these math classes, making it possible for more high school students to complete quantitative literacy math courses.

“Dixie State University is committed to providing greater opportunities for high school students to successfully complete college math courses,” said Dr. Michael Lacourse, DSU provost and vice president of academic affairs. “This grant award will allow us to expand the preparation and support of additional concurrent math instructors to meet a growing demand.”

Scheduled to be disseminated over three years, the grant will provide the university with approximately $86,000 each year. Additionally, USHE awarded DSU another $75,000 in incentives for quantitative literacy math completion programs. More than 80 percent of this funding will go directly to high schools to add 14 new sections of quantitative literacy to the nine already being offered.

The grant will help DSU implement an Instructor of Record model, in which DSU will hire a mathematics faculty member to serve as a resource to Washington County School District teachers. With this support in place, more teachers will qualify to teach Concurrent Enrollment classes.

By fulfilling both high school and college general requirements, Concurrent Enrollment classes save students time and money. The state of Utah funds the program, leaving students to pay just $5 per credit. Plus, students who take Concurrent Enrollment classes from DSU can enroll as full-time students after graduating from high school without re-applying.

Ensuring the education meets university standards, DSU deans and department chairs approve the program’s teachers, course material, syllabi, and textbooks. The college-level classes have a higher level of difficulty and prepare high school students for college by starting their college transcripts.

For more information about Concurrent Enrollment at Dixie State University, visit concurrent.dixie.edu.